Well i know many have been waiting to hear an update about Dennis getting here so here it is. Its been a fast and busy last few weeks so I haven't been on email or internet that often.
So the last thing was that Dennis had arrived in Dallas but with only 2 months stamped on his passport meaning he'd have to leave the country in the middle of our honeymoon right after our wedding...Well those were some frustrating moments for sure but God has really worked in the last few weeks and things are looking much better. He is so faithful!
I traveled down to visit Dennis in Denton, TX Memorial Day weekend and stayed for a week there. It was sooooo great to be reunited with Dennis once again after almost 5 months!! We really had a great week together meeting and eating with so many of his friends. Dennis is blessed with SO MANY wonderful friends who love and care for him. And it was so neat to see the way they loved and embraced me as well. We spent lots of time sharing our story and future ministry with people. As we were there God truely gave me a peace about what its going to be like to live in Denton for awhile after we are married. I'll be so sad to be away from my family and friends in NC but God sure showed me that i will be welcomed and loved by new friends and family there in Texas. We even found a place to stay when we go to Texas later in the year. We are going to be living in Argyle, Texas in the "barn" of a family there. Yep...a barn! Well, its a barn that has been made into a gymnasium on one side and a small apartment on the other side. There's even cows and chickens that live on the ranch. We are going to feel right at home like we are in Kenya:) We are so thankful to the Sizelove family who have welcomed us into the barn!
On Tuesday of that week we met with an immigration lawyer and from what she says, she can handle his case and as long as the Permanent Resident Card is in process, Dennis shouldn't have to leave the country anytime soon. It was very encouraging. So since that day we have been busy scurrying around trying to collect and send in all the MANY documents and letters and pictures and information we need to prove a bona fide relationship and marriage. Its very expensive and requires a lot of paperwork but so worth it!!! We praise God for beginning to already provide for those costs. So this is all great news. So unless the Lord decides to change things, Dennis is here and we can stay in America until our planned return to Kenya next year!
On the Friday night before I left Denton, Dennis' friends put together a last minute pre-wedding celebration for us for those who aren't going to be able to travel to N.C. for our wedding. What an encouraging and special time that was! There were over 50 people who came to meet me, see Dennis, and wish us well! Looking forward to spending invidual time with all of those people when we return to Texas later in the year.
So I came back to Raleigh on June 2nd and went back to work. Dennis remained in Denton to continue preparing and send off the missions team who will be going to work with the college students in Mombasa for the next 2 weeks. Then this past Tuesday, after a little detour to Charlotte b/c of bad weather, Dennis finally arrived in Raleigh. To welcome him to Raliegh, I enjoyed making one of his favorite meals for him (Spaghetti bake, garlic bread, and chocolate cake) and a group of my friends that evening.
Soooo, ALL OF THAT TO SAY, I am very happy Dennis is finally here and NO LONGER do we have to be seperated again. GOD IS SO FAITHFUL!!! Its just a month now til our wedding on July 7th. We can't wait. Its going to be a busy 4 weeks as we do last minute wedding preparations and continue with the immigration process. Honestly I'm pretty exhausted so please pray for us these next few weeks! May our lives and wedding preparations and future marriage honor and glorify the Lord!!
